TRUTH about "Terror in the Skies - Again?" Inside!

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by JPN4265
Maybe not, but it was people of Middle Eastern Desecent that flew the planes into the towers. Reality is understanding that we are at WAR with these people. If you don't open your eyes and understand this, another 9/11 is going to happen. I put the safety of this country and my family ahead of any form of being PC.

You are "at war" with every person of Middle Eastern descent? That's a bit drastic, but whatever works for you.

 

[phorsenuf]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Could they have been a Syrian band? Well, yes, that's exactly what they were! This Washington Times article is based primarily on the now discounted fiction of Ms. Jacobsen, so you expect people to give it any credibility. I find it very interesting that the Times quotes an anonymous 2nd pilot -- why is it that none of these stories have anyone with a verifiable name, job title, company and location? If these events are happening, why are they not being reported until now -- after Ms. Jacobsen perpetrates her hysterical hoax?

Believe what you want to believe. I choose not to live wrapped in paranoia and prejudice.

Well, lets see, I said a legit Syrian band, so I wasn't refuting they could be so. Also, if you read the second half of the article (which I am sure you did) then you will see an account of things that happened on a San Juan flight. If I was in danger of losing my job, I would speak anonymously too.

My guess as to why we aren't hearing what we should be is because I personally believe that alot of what is happening around us is being kept hush-hush.

If we "show" our hand, then the airline and tourist industry will take a nosedive (as well as stocks) and afterall isn't that what the terrorist want....to distrupt our lives and economy? We will be playing right into their hands. I believe there is a whole lot of things going on all over that we, as a nation do not know about.

I can't say I blame the government either. Why instill even more fear. As long as everyone is doing their jobs to keep us safe than I am good with that. I just don't want to see this nation get complacent and my guess is if these things leak out (or brought to our attention) every so often so we don't.

Since hearing these stories, don't you think people are now a little more vigilant even whether the story is true or false???

I don't agree with profiling, but seriously, how can you not? I know if I was on a plane and I saw a group of middle eastern people acting in what I thought was suspicious behavior you bet I would be scared. Is that right? NO! Am I proud of it? Heck No! But I am human and my emotions will take over before common sense. Stinks, but that's the truth.

 

[Missy1961]

Here's something that always gets me: I am a blue eyed blonde woman. Most people would look at me and if they are profiling they would think I'm OK. But how do they know that I'm OK? I could be sympathic to someone's cause and could be carrying something on a plane. You just don't know.

 

[phorsenuf]

Originally posted by Missy1961
Here's something that always gets me: I am a blue eyed blonde woman. Most people would look at me and if they are profiling they would think I'm OK. But how do they know that I'm OK? I could be sympathic to someone's cause and could be carrying something on a plane. You just don't know.

I agree, the next terrorist could come in any size, shape or form (or sex for that reason). We just don't know. Should we be predjudice and paranoid? No, just vigilant and aware of our surroundings.
Really no different than making sure you know where the emergancy exits are in a crowded theater.

 

[Joeblack]

This article discredits Jacobsen's account irrefutably. That is not to say she was wrong to feel worried. I would have too. But her interpretation of the facts and consequetny her article are not valid.

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/taylor200407211921.asp

Not convinced? Try this:

http://www.syrialive.net/music/video_clips/music_video_clips4_syrialive.htm

Video # 7 will show a clip of the artist Nour Mehana and his band (any familiar faces Mrs. Jacobsen?) who actually flew and arrived in San Diego on Northwest Flight 327. Some of them came in from Detroit, and some from Lebanon. Mr. Mehana's act took place on July 1st, as planned in the Sycuan Casino & Resort in San Diego.

There you have it. Steve was right all along. A brand new Urban Legend. But hey, don't let the truth stop us from racially profiling any dark skinned person with a moustache.

 

[minniecarousel]

Yes, I believe that these men were a Syrian band - what's to say that they ALSO weren't doing a dry run like was suspected. I think being in a band is a great cover!

 

[Joeblack]

Originally posted by Missy1961
Here's something that always gets me: I am a blue eyed blonde woman. Most people would look at me and if they are profiling they would think I'm OK. But how do they know that I'm OK? I could be sympathic to someone's cause and could be carrying something on a plane. You just don't know.

Exactly Missy. I have met quite a few Lebanese, Israeli or Jordanian men and women with blonde hair, blue eyes and light skin that you could never believe they are from the Middle East. Conversely, there are so many Latin Americans and Mediterranean people who look Middle Eastern. That does not take into account the Muslims with black or Oriental features that could be sympathetic with terrorist causes.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by phorsenuf
Well, lets see, I said a legit Syrian band, so I wasn't refuting they could be so. Also, if you read the second half of the article (which I am sure you did) then you will see an account of things that happened on a San Juan flight. If I was in danger of losing my job, I would speak anonymously too.

There are lots of reasons for someone to speak anonymously, including the fact that what they are "reporting" is complete and utter bull-plop. But claiming fear of losing one's job for speaking out does sound a lot better, doesn't it?

My guess as to why we aren't hearing what we should be is because I personally believe that alot of what is happening around us is being kept hush-hush.

Or maybe it's because most of it is complete fiction or the paranoid rantings of some flaky flyer who didn't get their first choice of dinner entree on their flight to LAX. The gov't. is as good at keeping secrets as a colander is of holding water.

If we "show" our hand, then the airline and tourist industry will take a nosedive (as well as stocks) and afterall isn't that what the terrorist want....to distrupt our lives and economy? We will be playing right into their hands. I believe there is a whole lot of things going on all over that we, as a nation do not know about.

It's been said that the truth will set you free. But some would rather live in the chains of fear.

I can't say I blame the government either. Why instill even more fear. As long as everyone is doing their jobs to keep us safe than I am good with that. I just don't want to see this nation get complacent and my guess is if these things leak out (or brought to our attention) every so often so we don't.

This is true ... the gov't. doesn't have to do much since we have all the Ms. Jacobsen's & Washington Times reporters to instill fear and paranoia enough for everyone -- all based on fiction.

Since hearing these stories, don't you think people are now a little more vigilant even whether the story is true or false???

Ever hear of the boy who cried "Wolf!"? Same thing applies here. Ms. Jacobsen was screaming "Wolf!"

I don't agree with profiling, but seriously, how can you not? I know if I was on a plane and I saw a group of middle eastern people acting in what I thought was suspicious behavior you bet I would be scared. Is that right? NO! Am I proud of it? Heck No! But I am human and my emotions will take over before common sense. Stinks, but that's the truth.

We all make choices on how we will react to events. We can choose to react with common sense and rational thought or we can choose to let our fears guide us. If we choose to allow fear to lead us, the terrorist win anyway.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I certainly won't claim to know how much of this story is accurate, but If I'm on a flight and ANYONE stands throughout a flight, congregrates around a restroom or "fakes a rush at the cockpit", I would hope that they would at least get looked at real closely!

 

[Joeblack]

Originally posted by minniecarousel
Yes, I believe that these men were a Syrian band - what's to say that they ALSO weren't doing a dry run like was suspected. I think being in a band is a great cover!

Come on. They are a renowned band, not just any improvised one. THat is why they were specifically hired, and flewn to San Diego by the AMERICAN promoters that hired them for a PARTICULAR JOB in a PARTICULAR PLACE and in a PARTICULAR DATE.

 

[phorsenuf]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
If we choose to allow fear to lead us, the terrorist win anyway.

Now THAT I agree with you on! LOL

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by nuke
I knew it was a bunch a hooey before I got to the second page.

Yes, exactly because people weren't even reading the whole article that the OP posted the first time. It was evident by the responses. It was an interesting study on human nature about watching the domino effect in motion!

 

[Joeblack]

Originally posted by manchurianbrownbear
I certainly won't claim to know how much of this story is accurate, but If I'm on a flight and ANYONE stands throughout a flight, congregrates around a restroom or "fakes a rush at the cockpit", I would hope that they would at least get looked at real closely!

I totally agree. But from that to expect that racial profiling is applied based on a bogus piece of fiction as some posters seem to do, there is a looong way.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Snopes did state that the events did happen (more or less) her interpretation was wrong. The events did happen and they were odd.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by OceanAnnie
Snopes did state that the events did happen (more or less) her interpretation was wrong. The events did happen and they were odd.

Events like that happen on every flight. I've been on more flights than I can count where there've been crowds in the aisles, lines at washrooms, people rummaging through carry-ons, people talking loudly in foreign languages, people whispering -- sometimes in foreign languages. This is NOT odd ... it's life on a normal flight. Either Ms. Jacobsen does not travel by plane very much or she has an incredibly overactive imagination. I suspect it's a little of both.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Maybe not, but it was people of Middle Eastern Desecent that flew the planes into the towers. Reality is understanding that we are at WAR with these people. If you don't open your eyes and understand this, another 9/11 is going to happen. I put the safety of this country and my family ahead of any form of being PC.

OMG I can't believe people really feel this way. I never feared revealing that I was part Lebanese before, but in these times, I do watch who I say it to, and that is sad.

And you know what, how you feel about Middle Eastern people is how the radicals feel about Americans, and some of those radicals are terrorist. You are not much different from those that hurt us.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Events like that happen on every flight. I've been on more flights than I can count where there've been crowds in the aisles, lines at washrooms, people rummaging through carry-ons, people talking loudly in foreign languages, people whispering -- sometimes in foreign languages. This is NOT odd ... it's life on a normal flight. Either Ms. Jacobsen does not travel by plane very much or she has an incredibly overactive imagination. I suspect it's a little of both.

In certain ways I can understand. Did you watch the recent videos of the highjackers coming through security? It brings back all of those horrible memories. I almost cried when I saw it, so who can blame these people for being so paranoid?

It's so hard to take control of our emotions and remain rational about this stuff. kudos to you for being such a strong person.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
In certain ways I can understand. Did you watch the recent videos of the highjackers coming through security? It brings back all of those horrible memories. I almost cried when I saw it, so who can blame these people for being so paranoid?

It's so hard to take control of our emotions and remain rational about this stuff. kudos to you for being such a strong person.

I watched the videos on ABCNews last night. It was disturbing more than anything to see how casual and easy it was to get through security. 9/11 is a horrific memory for everyone, but that's hardly an excuse to allow prejudice to run free in the named of assumed security.

Me? Strong? Come along on my next flight (which happens to be Monday) and watch my knuckles turn white upon takeoff and not resume normal color until we are at our destination gate. I am what flight attendants call a "nervous Nelly" flyer. The only trick I have is to practice calming techniques before, during and after the flight. I know I am in control of my emotions, not vice versa. That's about the only way I get on a plane without my personal parachute strapped to my body!

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
I watched the videos on ABCNews last night. It was disturbing more than anything to see how casual and easy it was to get through security. 9/11 is a horrific memory for everyone, but that's hardly an excuse to allow prejudice to run free in the named of assumed security.

Me? Strong? Come along on my next flight (which happens to be Monday) and watch my knuckles turn white upon takeoff and not resume normal color until we are at our destination gate. I am what flight attendants call a "nervous Nelly" flyer. The only trick I have is to practice calming techniques before, during and after the flight. I know I am in control of my emotions, not vice versa. That's about the only way I get on a plane without my personal parachute strapped to my body!

Yes, I completely agree that it is not an excuse to put people in internment camps (here) ala WW2, or unfairly discriminate, etc.

We aren't going to end up hearing about you on the evening news are we? I mean you won't freak out and have an episode on the plane, or anything right! Just kidding, have a great trip!

 

[Eeyore1954]

I've not been led out in handcuffs yet ... but I've been on a few flights where I almost begged to be sedated. Fortunately, every flight has landed safely, although not always smoothly, at the final destination. However, on more than one occasion, I've needed the help of a seatmate to pry my fingers from the armrest!

I share that just to say that I see stuff on flights that makes me suspicious, too. But I remind myself of the hundreds of thousands of flights that take off and land safely every year and so far only 4 have been deliberately crashed into buildings or a field. It's also helpful to remember I am more likely to be struck by lightning than to die in a plane crash. Little "comforting" thoughts like that help me make it through the "ordeal."